As Tennessee continues its search for a quarterback through the NCAA transfer portal, there’s still a flicker of hope that Joey Aguilar might return for another season in orange and white. That possibility hinges on a legal battle that’s gaining traction - one that could reshape how the NCAA counts junior college seasons toward eligibility.
At the heart of it all is the Diego Pavia lawsuit, which challenges the NCAA’s current eligibility rules for JUCO players. A key hearing is now set for February 10 in Nashville, giving this case a clearer timeline. If the court sides with the plaintiffs, it could open the door for Aguilar to suit up again in 2026.
This case is being overseen by Chief District Judge William L. Campbell Jr., who recently denied a similar injunction in a separate eligibility case.
But the Pavia case is still very much alive - even though Pavia himself, a former Vanderbilt quarterback, is moving on to the NFL. The lawsuit now aims to prevent the NCAA from counting junior college seasons against Division I eligibility altogether.
Back in December 2024, a preliminary injunction in the case prompted the NCAA to issue a blanket waiver, giving JUCO transfers an extra year of eligibility for the 2025 season. That ruling opened the door for Aguilar, who had already played two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College before transferring to Appalachian State, to keep his college career alive. He took full advantage, transferring to UCLA, then ultimately landing at Tennessee.
Aguilar’s path to Knoxville came after a very public breakup between Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA. The Vols needed a steady hand under center, and Aguilar delivered.
Despite joining the team in May, he quickly learned the offense, earned the trust of his teammates, and won the starting job. From there, he led the SEC in passing during the regular season with 3,444 yards - a remarkable turnaround for an offense that had struggled mightily in 2024.
Tennessee didn’t reach the heights it hoped for, finishing 8-5 and falling short of the College Football Playoff, but Aguilar was a bright spot. He brought stability and production to a unit that desperately needed both.
Now, the 24-year-old quarterback’s future is once again in limbo. In November, he joined the Pavia case as a named plaintiff, but he’s kept quiet about his intentions for 2026.
Whether he wants to return to college football - or to Tennessee specifically - remains an open question. What’s clear is that without an extension of the NCAA’s waiver, Aguilar is out of eligibility.
But if the court grants another injunction, the door swings wide open for a return.
Aguilar has stayed in Knoxville while the legal process unfolds. A recent conference call between the judge and attorneys didn’t yield a resolution, but the upcoming hearing gives everyone involved a clearer sense of when a decision might come - though a ruling could still take days or even weeks after the hearing.
This legal battle is one of several currently challenging the NCAA’s eligibility framework. Another case, involving Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson, is pushing for all players to receive five years of eligibility by challenging redshirt rules.
That injunction was denied this past Thursday. Meanwhile, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is pursuing a separate legal challenge after being denied a medical redshirt waiver.
But Aguilar’s situation is tied specifically to how JUCO seasons are counted - a narrower but potentially precedent-setting issue.
Aguilar has already played three seasons at the FBS level - two at App State and one at Tennessee. If the court rules that his junior college years shouldn't count, he could be cleared for a fourth.
He’s also recovering from a procedure to remove a benign tumor from his throwing arm, which adds another layer of uncertainty to his decision-making process. But if he’s healthy and eligible, Tennessee would certainly welcome him back.
Head coach Josh Heupel has made it clear the Vols need help at quarterback. With Aguilar currently out of eligibility and Jake Merklinger entering the transfer portal, Tennessee is left with two young, unproven arms: George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon. MacIntyre redshirted in 2025 and Brandon, a five-star recruit, just arrived on campus.
That’s why Tennessee has been active in the transfer market - but with mixed results. The Vols were in early on Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby, but he chose Texas Tech.
They made a strong push for Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, even after his commitment to LSU, but came up short. Missouri’s Beau Pribula visited Knoxville, but ended up choosing Virginia.
This weekend, Colorado transfer Ryan Staub is on campus. He’s not as seasoned as the others, with just two career starts and fewer than 100 pass attempts over three seasons. Still, he’s on Tennessee’s radar as a potential depth piece or developmental option.
With spring classes and offseason workouts already underway, Tennessee is preparing to roll with its young quarterbacks - unless Aguilar’s case takes a favorable turn. And now, at least, there’s a date circled on the calendar.
If the ruling goes Aguilar’s way, the Vols could get back a proven leader under center - one who already knows the system, has the locker room’s respect, and has shown he can produce in the SEC. For a program looking to bounce back and stabilize its offense, that kind of continuity could be a game-changer.